Spring assembly for upholstery



R. w. LOTZ 2,186,548

1 Jan. 9, 1940.

2 She Filed June 18, 1936 lrl g 10/ hiQ i; aui fi 1 p U rt! f m Jm 1940-Y 'R. w. LOTZ 2,186,548

SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR UPHOLSTERY 7 Filed June 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Jan. 9,

UNITED STATES,

. I arsam smtmo ASSEMBLY FOR. urnonscrnar Rudolph W. Dots, Chicago,Ill., assignor to Nachman-Springfllled Corporation, Chicago, lll., a

corporation of Illinois Application June 1a, 1930. Serial No. 85,899

Claims.

The main object of the present invention is to' provide a springassembly adapted for seat cushions, generally, and automobile seatcushions in particular, wherein two sets of opposed and coun- 5teracting spring elements are employed, one of said sets of springelements constituting a pad support and being normally'very elastic soas to yield easily to load and to the variations in load due to theJolting of the vehicle in travel; the

the rebound of the structure following extreme compression under theinfluence of shock.

Suitable embodiments of the invention are H- 26 lustrated in theaccompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of aspring assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.

so Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the complete assembly.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the structure after completeassembly thereof.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the 35 structure in invertedposition.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another'form of embodiment ofthe invention.

The structure, as illustrated, comprises a series of spring members Iwhich, preferably, are com- 40 posed of a resilient wire bent to zig-zagform to constitute the substantial equivalents of flat springs. Each ofthe spring members I, is bent between its ends to any one of a pluralityof contours such as are shown in 2, 3 and trespectively 5 of Figs. 2, a,4 and 5 to constitute substantially V-shaped members having divergentarms. These are normally spaced apart along their out er or free endportions as shown in Fig. 2, a distance appreciably greater than thedesired spacing apart thereof in the completed structure. The saidmembers I are disposed parallel with each other and in deslredfspacedrelation to each other as shown in'Fig. 1. Preferably the bent 55portions 2, 3 and l of the members I of the respective Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4'and 5 are suitably coupled with each other as by means of the helicals8.

Springs I, which in the instances illustrated, are upholstery orhour-glass springs of a height normally appreciably less than thepredeter- 5 mined height or depth of the completed spring assembly, areinterposed between and secured to the outer end portions of the arms ofthe springs I, thus drawing and maintaining the same flexed to occupythe desired ultimate relative positions shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,respectively, the said spring I being partly distended by thecounteraction of the springs I. The springs I thus act to produce in thesprings I the equivalent of a partial compression which renders themstiffer than normal and, therefore, less responsive to load thereon thanwould be'true in the absence of the springs I. The arms of the springs Iare thus also bowed appreciably to provide what may be termed a skeletonconvex top supporting surface for the customary layer of padding whichoverlies the springs I in a completed cushion,

In the structures of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is shown only onerow of springs 1 at one end of the structure which may be either thefront or rear end of the'same. In Fig. 5 the structure is illustratedwith two rows of springs I disposed between the arms of the springs Iand said number of rows and relative positions of springs I 7 may bechanged and varied to suit the conditions .said ends, thus to adapt theseveral structures for incorporation into loose cushions.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the bottom arms of the springs I and thelower ends of the springs 40 I are secured by means of suitablefastening devices, such as staples 8, to seat frames or other supportsas in the case of chairs of certain types wherein the seat cushions arepermanently and not removably attached. In instances, the lower terminalcoils of the springs 1 may be secured directly to the seat frames 'orother supports and the portions of the lower arms of the springs 'I towhich the springs I are secured may be omitted.

The type of bends 2, 3 or 4 selected may be varied to render the edgeportions of the completed structure as yielding as desired and to impartto the corresponding edges of the pad and cover whatever contour may bedesired. The

several modifications of the structures illustrated 5s to whichreference is made hereinabove are believed to be easily comprehensibleto persons skilled in the art without resort to illustration thereof.

The action of the spring assembly illustrated and described, wheninstalled in vehicles, is such as to allow for limited down and upmovement of the upper arms of the springs I without appreciableinfluence of the springs I. When the vehicle passes over an appreciableobstruction, however, the said upper arms of the springs I will movedownwardly to an extent to compress the springs I which act then toresist said movementincreasingly to an extent which will save theoccupant of the cushion fromthe annoying shock of hitting bottom." Uponthe counteraction or upward movement following sudden compression, thesprings I will act to reduce and limit upward throw of the occupant ofthe cushion, the said springs l acting then as shock absorbers in bothdirections.

One of the main advantages of the structure lies in the fact that thesprings I may be made of appreciably greater load carrying capacity thanordinary without rendering the cushion relatively hard and uncomfortablesince they come into action to an apreciable degree under the influenceof shock only.

In instances where the bends 2, 3 and I of the springs l occur at bothends of the structure, the meeting ends of the springs I at any selectedpoint or points, will be suitably coupled or Joined and in suchstructures the pad supporting portions of the said springs, at top andbottom will be bowed to a far smaller normal radius than the ultimateshape or contour desired and said bowed portions will be maintainedflexed to the desired contour by the interposed springs I.

I claim as my invention: V

1. A spring assembly composed of a plurality of spaced apart resilientapproximately V-shaped metal members, and springs connected with andcoupling the divergent arms of said strips, said springs being ofappreciably less length than the normal width of space between divergentportions of said arms with which they are connected there by yieldinglymaintaining said arms flexed to decrease the normal divergence thereof.

2. A spring assembly composed of a plurality of spaced apart resilientmetal members bent between their ends to present outer end portionsdiverging from each other to a predetermined angle, and upholsterysprings of appreciably less length than the spacing apart of the partsof said outer end portions of said members between which said springsare interposed, secured to and coupling said last-named parts andmaintaining said end portions of said strips flexed yieldingly toanother relative position.

3. A spring assembly composed of a plurality of spaced apart resilientmetal members bent between their ends to present outer end portionsdiverging from each other to a predetermined angle and resilient springelements of less length than the normal space separating the parts ofthe end portions of said members between which said spring elements aredisposed connected with and coupling said parts and maintaining the sameyieldingly flexed to another relative position.

4. A resilient seat unit comprising a rigid seat frame, a strip ofresilient metal secured at one end portion to said seat frame, aresilient spring element secured to the seat frame, a portion of saidmetal strip disposed normally to overhang said element in spacedrelation thereto and flexed and secured to said element and yieldinglymaintained flexed by the latter while yieldingly distending the same.

5. A resilient metallic cushion construction comprising a series ofequal substantially parallel and spaced apart resilient metal memberseach presenting a bowed middle portion and divergent arms, and resilientelements interposed between and coupling said divergent arms with eachother, said elements being of appreciably less normal length than thenormal divergence of said arms, whereby the latter are maintainedyieldingly flexed to a lesser divergence and, in turn, maintain saidelements yieldingly distended.

RUDOLPH WM. LOTZ.

